State audit of Sheriff’s Office cites minor issues

Finding will be released online today

Published: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 11:40 p.m.

An audit of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office shows that the department improperly collected $315 in fees for fingerprinting services and did not follow some basic accounting practices.

Otherwise, the audit by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts shows that all money and property was accounted for. The department is scheduled to release the audit report today.

“No money or property was missing,” Sheriff Ted Sexton said. “We’ve rectified the other issues that were noted.”

The audit report details the sheriff’s office’s finances between July 1, 2009, and Feb. 29, 2012. Auditors found that the office collected fees for fingerprinting services provided to members of the public who apply for teaching, real estate and other jobs.

State law does not give a sheriff’s office the authority to collect fees for those services. Chief Deputy Ron Abernathy said that the department collected $315 — $5 per person — during 2012 before stopping late last year.

The examiners also found that clerical staff did not deposit sex offender registration, pistol permit and jail fees every day and did not reconcile bank accounts monthly, which did not comply with the examiners’ requirements.

Abernathy said that accountants with Tuscaloosa accounting firm

JamisonMoneyFarmer came to the department after state auditors inquired about the issues a few months ago. He said that the department has made adjustments to its accounting practices. The department now uses computer programs to keep track of all money within the department.

The audit, provided to The News by Sexton, is expected to be posted on the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Account’s website this morning. It can also be viewed at www.tuscaloosanews.com.

<p>An audit of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office shows that the department improperly collected $315 in fees for fingerprinting services and did not follow some basic accounting practices. </p><p>Otherwise, the audit by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts shows that all money and property was accounted for. The department is scheduled to release the audit report today.</p><p>“No money or property was missing,” Sheriff Ted Sexton said. “We've rectified the other issues that were noted.”</p><p>The audit report details the sheriff's office's finances between July 1, 2009, and Feb. 29, 2012. Auditors found that the office collected fees for fingerprinting services provided to members of the public who apply for teaching, real estate and other jobs.</p><p>State law does not give a sheriff's office the authority to collect fees for those services. Chief Deputy Ron Abernathy said that the department collected $315 — $5 per person — during 2012 before stopping late last year.</p><p>The examiners also found that clerical staff did not deposit sex offender registration, pistol permit and jail fees every day and did not reconcile bank accounts monthly, which did not comply with the examiners' requirements. </p><p>Abernathy said that accountants with Tuscaloosa accounting firm </p><p>JamisonMoneyFarmer came to the department after state auditors inquired about the issues a few months ago. He said that the department has made adjustments to its accounting practices. The department now uses computer programs to keep track of all money within the department.</p><p>The audit, provided to The News by Sexton, is expected to be posted on the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Account's website this morning. It can also be viewed at www.tuscaloosanews.com.</p><p>Reach Stephanie Taylor at stephanie.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0210.</p>